Comments on: If You Like …. Holiday Stories http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/ Romance, Historical, Contemporary, Paranormal, Young Adult, Book reviews, industry news, and commentary from a reader's point of view Mon, 28 May 2012 07:13:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: gwen hayes http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225588 gwen hayes Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:17:59 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225588 I just bought Harlequin's ROMANCING THE HOLIDAYS 2009 bundle at Fictionwise and the 100% micropay rebate bumped me enough to get the WALLFLOWER CHRISTMAS free. Probably, I should be Christmas shopping for other people today. I just bought Harlequin’s ROMANCING THE HOLIDAYS 2009 bundle at Fictionwise and the 100% micropay rebate bumped me enough to get the WALLFLOWER CHRISTMAS free.

Probably, I should be Christmas shopping for other people today.

]]> By: MaryK http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225401 MaryK Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:15:43 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225401 There are two Lisa Kleypas Christmas novellas that I really like. "I Will" in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wish-List-Lisa-Kleypas/dp/0843951028/ref=tmm_mmp_title_0" rel="nofollow">Wish List</a> anthology. I like the Lisa Cach in Wish List, as well. The Kleypas was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Historical-Christmas-Present-Spell-Romance/dp/050552788X/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_3" rel="nofollow">reprinted</a> last year. The H/H fake an engagement and fall in love in the process. The second Kleypas is "Surrender" in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gifts-Love-Kay-Hooper/dp/0061151750/ref=pd_sim_b_3" rel="nofollow">Gifts of Love</a> anthology. This one is a reprint from an older anthology. It's historical, set in Boston I think. The hero's an Irish immigrant who's made his fortune and married the sister of a friend. He feels like he forced her into marriage and thinks she despises him, but she's really just shy. ETA: I also recommend <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nice-Girl-Silhouette-Yours-Truly/dp/0373520336/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259882528&sr=1-21" rel="nofollow">A Nice Girl Like You</a> by Alexandra Sellers, an old Silhouette category novel. It's a little like Sleepless in Seattle - the heroine has to choose between her high society fiance and a new attraction. The hero is very yummy. There are two Lisa Kleypas Christmas novellas that I really like. “I Will” in the Wish List anthology. I like the Lisa Cach in Wish List, as well. The Kleypas was reprinted last year. The H/H fake an engagement and fall in love in the process.

The second Kleypas is “Surrender” in the Gifts of Love anthology. This one is a reprint from an older anthology. It’s historical, set in Boston I think. The hero’s an Irish immigrant who’s made his fortune and married the sister of a friend. He feels like he forced her into marriage and thinks she despises him, but she’s really just shy.

ETA: I also recommend A Nice Girl Like You by Alexandra Sellers, an old Silhouette category novel. It’s a little like Sleepless in Seattle – the heroine has to choose between her high society fiance and a new attraction. The hero is very yummy.

]]> By: MaryK http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225400 MaryK Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:54:28 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225400 @<a href="#comment-225283" rel="nofollow">Stephanie</a>: <blockquote>I recommend the Christmas romance anthology “A Stockingful of Joy,” which contains one of my favorite Mary Jo Putney novellas “The Best Husband Money Can Buy.” </blockquote> I love this one, too! A great marriage of convenience story. @Stephanie:
I recommend the Christmas romance anthology “A Stockingful of Joy,” which contains one of my favorite Mary Jo Putney novellas “The Best Husband Money Can Buy.”

I love this one, too! A great marriage of convenience story.

]]> By: MaryK http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225398 MaryK Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:50:26 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225398 @<a href="#comment-225285" rel="nofollow">theo</a>: I love The Christmas Wedding Gambit! She has several other Christmas stories in anthologies that are good as well. @theo: I love The Christmas Wedding Gambit! She has several other Christmas stories in anthologies that are good as well.

]]> By: Just me, J http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225393 Just me, J Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:38:09 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225393 @<a href="#comment-225273" rel="nofollow">Tara Mari</a>: THANK YOU!!! I have loved Years since I first read the mini-version in Good Housekeeping eons ago. I have re-read the novel many, many times since then. @Tara Mari:
THANK YOU!!! I have loved Years since I first read the mini-version in Good Housekeeping eons ago. I have re-read the novel many, many times since then.

]]> By: WandaSue http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225382 WandaSue Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:16:18 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225382 My favorite: <em>"Make a Joyful Noise"</em> by Carla Kelly (included in the <em>"A Regency Christmas Carol"</em> anthology. Perfection -- at Christmas time, at any time. My favorite: “Make a Joyful Noise” by Carla Kelly (included in the “A Regency Christmas Carol” anthology. Perfection — at Christmas time, at any time.

]]> By: Jeanette Murray http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225381 Jeanette Murray Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:15:04 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225381 Jinxed, by Inez Kelley from Samhain is a super cute holiday story (Christmas). Great to read any time of the year, but it's set in the post-Thanksgiving/lead up to Christmas time frame. Absolutely heartwarming, made me tear up at a few places, laughing in others, and you really root for both hero and heroine. Highly recommend it! Jinxed, by Inez Kelley from Samhain is a super cute holiday story (Christmas). Great to read any time of the year, but it’s set in the post-Thanksgiving/lead up to Christmas time frame. Absolutely heartwarming, made me tear up at a few places, laughing in others, and you really root for both hero and heroine. Highly recommend it!

]]> By: Christine Rimmer http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225367 Christine Rimmer Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:37:39 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225367 Last year I discovered Connie Willis's DOOMSDAY BOOK. Amazing book, a time travel back to the Middle Ages. Not a romance, but a roaring good story! I'm reading it again this year. Last year I discovered Connie Willis’s DOOMSDAY BOOK. Amazing book, a time travel back to the Middle Ages. Not a romance, but a roaring good story! I’m reading it again this year.

]]> By: Leeann Burke http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225364 Leeann Burke Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:10:33 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225364 For me the best Christmas story I have read is IF ONLY IN MY DREAMS by Wendy Markham. She just released a sequel to it called THE BEST GIFT. I read and loved it. Next book to be read is WHERE DREAMS ARE MADE by Anne Hope. It has a Christmas theme in it as well. For me the best Christmas story I have read is IF ONLY IN MY DREAMS by Wendy Markham. She just released a sequel to it called THE BEST GIFT. I read and loved it. Next book to be read is WHERE DREAMS ARE MADE by Anne Hope. It has a Christmas theme in it as well.

]]> By: Angelia Sparrow http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225352 Angelia Sparrow Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:14:09 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225352 <a href="http://www.jasminejade.com/pm-6781-489-eight-days-ablaze.aspx" rel="nofollow">Eight Days Ablaze</a> came out last year. It's Hanukkah cyberpunk erotica. Lawyer Adina barJonas loves Hanukkah. And her papa gives the best gifts. This year, it's the VirtualClone Box, for “a fully integrated sensory experience”. Adina uses it to argue law, meet her heroes and thoroughly indulge herself with some very sexy men over the eight nights of the holiday. But Papa and Uncle David have their own agenda, and Adina finds that by enjoying her new toy she has played right into their hands. Eight Days Ablaze came out last year. It’s Hanukkah cyberpunk erotica.

Lawyer Adina barJonas loves Hanukkah. And her papa gives the best gifts. This year, it's the VirtualClone Box, for “a fully integrated sensory experience”. Adina uses it to argue law, meet her heroes and thoroughly indulge herself with some very sexy men over the eight nights of the holiday.

But Papa and Uncle David have their own agenda, and Adina finds that by enjoying her new toy she has played right into their hands.

]]> By: LizaL http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225349 LizaL Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:53:00 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225349 Connie Willis' short story "Miracle" is a romantic comedy, like much of her writing- although it was originally published in <em>Issac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine</em> (one of my uncles renewed my subscription every year for Christmas when I was a kid. Nerd? Yes.). She has a set of Christmas stories, but "Miracle" I remember best. Connie Willis’ short story “Miracle” is a romantic comedy, like much of her writing- although it was originally published in Issac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine (one of my uncles renewed my subscription every year for Christmas when I was a kid. Nerd? Yes.). She has a set of Christmas stories, but “Miracle” I remember best.

]]> By: Liz http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225338 Liz Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:01:49 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225338 i absolutely love Christmas anthologies, especially the novellas by Debbie MacComber. I also really like The Delaney Christmas Carol by Kay Hooper, Iris Johansen, and Fayrene Preston. My favorite Christmas themed book is <em>Holiday in Death</em> by JD Robb; I reread it every Christmas. i absolutely love Christmas anthologies, especially the novellas by Debbie MacComber. I also really like The Delaney Christmas Carol by Kay Hooper, Iris Johansen, and Fayrene Preston. My favorite Christmas themed book is Holiday in Death by JD Robb; I reread it every Christmas.

]]> By: Donna Kowalczyk http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225334 Donna Kowalczyk Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:40:15 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225334 Mistletoe Rules by Stacey Joy Netzel is an excellent Christmas read, I loved it! Christmas recipe for love-'combine a matchmaking Santa, lots of mistletoe, one iron-clad rule, fated hearts; mix and stir. The Riley siblings don't stand a chance. http://www.thewildrosepress.com/mistletoe-rules-p-3776.html?zenid=783677919de4e93307dab93457c0f15a Mistletoe Rules by Stacey Joy Netzel is an excellent Christmas read, I loved it!

Christmas recipe for love-’combine a matchmaking Santa, lots of mistletoe, one iron-clad rule, fated hearts; mix and stir. The Riley siblings don't stand a chance.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/mistletoe-rules-p-3776.html?zenid=783677919de4e93307dab93457c0f15a

]]> By: Jody W. http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225329 Jody W. Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:40:32 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225329 I second the rec for A Midnight Clear by Ciar Cullen. Samhain is releasing new free holiday stories nearly every day this year in December, too. I have an antho of Balogh's holiday stories I need to dig out and reread now that I'm in a jingly kind of mood. I second the rec for A Midnight Clear by Ciar Cullen. Samhain is releasing new free holiday stories nearly every day this year in December, too.

I have an antho of Balogh’s holiday stories I need to dig out and reread now that I’m in a jingly kind of mood.

]]> By: Janine http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225323 Janine Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:13:50 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225323 Seems like an appropriate time to link to <a href="http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2006/12/22/christmas-revels-by-mary-jo-putney/" rel="nofollow">my review</a> of Mary Jo Putney's <em>Christmas Revels</em>. Seems like an appropriate time to link to my review of Mary Jo Putney’s Christmas Revels.

]]> By: GrowlyCub http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225313 GrowlyCub Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:15:30 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225313 @<a href="#comment-225293" rel="nofollow">Michelle</a>: I literally just finished re-reading 'Sunshine for Christmas' by Mary Jo before I opened this thread. It's lovely. Every time I read it, I wish it were a full-length novel. @Michelle:

I literally just finished re-reading ‘Sunshine for Christmas’ by Mary Jo before I opened this thread. It’s lovely. Every time I read it, I wish it were a full-length novel.

]]> By: Lori http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225305 Lori Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:05:42 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225305 <strong>A Wallflower Christmas</strong> by Kleypas started my new Historical romance glom. I haven't read any of the Wallflower books and I picked this up at a library sale because the cover was so lush. I liked it and intend to read The Wallflower books. I just bought a bunch of HQN Christmas books from their estore and got the Blaze <strong>Better Naughty than Nice</strong>. 3 novellas all smexy and ho-ho-hot. Loved the Jill Shalvis story and will check out more from her. Vicky Lewis Thompson is always fun to read and I just started the Rhonda Nelson story so can't say anything yet. A Wallflower Christmas by Kleypas started my new Historical romance glom. I haven’t read any of the Wallflower books and I picked this up at a library sale because the cover was so lush.

I liked it and intend to read The Wallflower books.

I just bought a bunch of HQN Christmas books from their estore and got the Blaze Better Naughty than Nice. 3 novellas all smexy and ho-ho-hot. Loved the Jill Shalvis story and will check out more from her. Vicky Lewis Thompson is always fun to read and I just started the Rhonda Nelson story so can’t say anything yet.

]]> By: JBHunt http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225300 JBHunt Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:22:23 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225300 Eloisa James' <em>An Affair Before Christmas</em> was a winner. Eloisa James’ An Affair Before Christmas was a winner.

]]> By: Cathy in AK http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225296 Cathy in AK Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:36:14 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225296 The Silhouette RS anthology BLACKOUT AT CHRISTMAS. Three stories about three couples during a Seattle Christmas Eve blizzard. Good stuff. Sharron McClellan's "Santa Under Cover" is an exciting action-packed romance with a hot Santa : ) The Silhouette RS anthology BLACKOUT AT CHRISTMAS. Three stories about three couples during a Seattle Christmas Eve blizzard. Good stuff. Sharron McClellan’s “Santa Under Cover” is an exciting action-packed romance with a hot Santa : )

]]> By: Janine http://dearauthor.com/need-a-rec/if-you-like-misc/if-you-like-holiday-stories/#comment-225294 Janine Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:10:04 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=15684#comment-225294 @<a href="#comment-225293" rel="nofollow">Michelle</a>: That's <em>Sunshine for Christmas</em> by Mary Jo Putney, and I really enjoyed it as well. It can be found in <em>Christmas Revels</em> and one other anthology, I think. I also enjoyed Putney's <em>The Black Beast of Belleterre</em> which appeared in <em>A Victorian Christmas</em> and in <em>Christmas Revels</em>. My favorite Putney Christmas novella so far, though, is <em>The Best Husband Money Can Buy</em>, in <em>A Stockingful of Joy</em>. Other Christmas stories I have loved include Mary Balogh's regency <em>A Christmas Promise</em> and Patricia Gaffney's novella <em>Second Chance</em>, which appeared in <em>A Victorian Christmas</em>. @Michelle: That’s Sunshine for Christmas by Mary Jo Putney, and I really enjoyed it as well. It can be found in Christmas Revels and one other anthology, I think.

I also enjoyed Putney’s The Black Beast of Belleterre which appeared in A Victorian Christmas and in Christmas Revels.

My favorite Putney Christmas novella so far, though, is The Best Husband Money Can Buy, in A Stockingful of Joy.

Other Christmas stories I have loved include Mary Balogh’s regency A Christmas Promise and Patricia Gaffney’s novella Second Chance, which appeared in A Victorian Christmas.

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